2008 Woodie Awards
Black Caucus hosts forum today
By: David Veselenak
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: News
Members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus want to know the effect of extended diversity education that students receive at Central Michigan University.
The group is hoping to get the answer at an open forum for students and faculty at 4:30 p.m. today in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium.
"The legislators will discuss diversity and other topics," said Denise Green, associate vice president for institutional diversity. "They'll talk about other concerns and ideas students have."
Sherie Davy, executive director for the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, said the caucus has been considering coming to CMU for some time.
"I think that's something they've talked about doing for a while," she said. "They felt it would be a good idea for students."
The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus is made up of 21 legislators, primarily from Detroit, who work to ensure equality for Michigan citizens. State Representative Brenda Clack, D-Flint, chairs the caucus.
Green said the caucus met with University President Michael Rao in November and expressed interest in coming to CMU to discuss diversity with students.
"The nooses incident signaled that there needed to be more (diversity) education," Green said.
Davy said the group is looking forward to talking with students about their needs and concerns regarding diversity, as well as other topics.
"The legislators are open to discuss issues with students," Davy said. "They're really concerned with students having a positive experience."
With issues such as the nooses found on CMU's campus, Davy said the group realized the intensity of the problems.
"It has mushroomed into something larger," she said. "There was a series of events (the nooses) that showed the caucus that there was a need for more education."
Green and Davy both said Wednesday's forum will be a step in the right direction to achieve more education on diversity.
"I would encourage students to come," she said. "We need to do a better job educating students on diversity."
The University President's Office, Government and Public Affairs and the Department of Institutional Diversity are sponsoring the forum.
CMU is not the only school the caucus plans to visit.
Davy said the group is planning on holding a forum at Eastern Michigan University soon, and would like to host a forum "once or twice a month" on different Michigan campuses.
news@cm-life.com
The group is hoping to get the answer at an open forum for students and faculty at 4:30 p.m. today in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium.
"The legislators will discuss diversity and other topics," said Denise Green, associate vice president for institutional diversity. "They'll talk about other concerns and ideas students have."
Sherie Davy, executive director for the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, said the caucus has been considering coming to CMU for some time.
"I think that's something they've talked about doing for a while," she said. "They felt it would be a good idea for students."
The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus is made up of 21 legislators, primarily from Detroit, who work to ensure equality for Michigan citizens. State Representative Brenda Clack, D-Flint, chairs the caucus.
Green said the caucus met with University President Michael Rao in November and expressed interest in coming to CMU to discuss diversity with students.
"The nooses incident signaled that there needed to be more (diversity) education," Green said.
Davy said the group is looking forward to talking with students about their needs and concerns regarding diversity, as well as other topics.
"The legislators are open to discuss issues with students," Davy said. "They're really concerned with students having a positive experience."
With issues such as the nooses found on CMU's campus, Davy said the group realized the intensity of the problems.
"It has mushroomed into something larger," she said. "There was a series of events (the nooses) that showed the caucus that there was a need for more education."
Green and Davy both said Wednesday's forum will be a step in the right direction to achieve more education on diversity.
"I would encourage students to come," she said. "We need to do a better job educating students on diversity."
The University President's Office, Government and Public Affairs and the Department of Institutional Diversity are sponsoring the forum.
CMU is not the only school the caucus plans to visit.
Davy said the group is planning on holding a forum at Eastern Michigan University soon, and would like to host a forum "once or twice a month" on different Michigan campuses.
news@cm-life.com
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